TSPY_ZBOT.JNESP
PWS:Win32/Zbot!CI(Microsoft),Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot(Ikarus),
Windows
Threat Type: Spyware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This spyware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It creates registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup.
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This spyware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
Installation
This spyware drops a copy of itself in the following folders using different file names:
- %Appdata%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- Global\{GUID}
- Local\{GUID}
It injects threads into the following normal process(es):
- explorer.exe
Autostart Technique
This spyware creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\Currentversion\Run
{random} = "%Appdata%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"
Other System Modifications
This spyware adds the following registry keys:
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
{random}
{random} = ""
Information Theft
This spyware gathers the following data:
- Data on Cookie files
Other Details
This spyware connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:
- http://www.google.com/webhp
However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.
Mobile Malware Routine
This spyware accesses the following possibly malicious URL(s):
- http://{BLOCKED}tipler.org/ib.php|file=a.bin
NOTES:
It lowers the Internet Explorer security settings by adding and modifying following registry entries:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0
1609 = 0x00000000
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1
1406 = 0x00000000
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1
1609 = 0x00000000
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2
1609 = 0x00000000
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
1406 = 0x00000000
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
1609 = 0x00000000
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4
1406 = 0x00000000
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4
1609 = 0x00000000
SOLUTION
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
Delete this registry value
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Run
- {random} = "%Appdata%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"
- {random} = "%Appdata%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe"
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
- %Appdata%\{random folder name}
Step 6
Reset Internet security settings
Step 7
Delete these registry values
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator’s help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy
- CleanCookies = 0x00000000
- CleanCookies = 0x00000000
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.JNESP. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.
Step 9
The following created files/folders/registry keys/registry entries cannot be identified by the user since there are no reference values in the created key. The only way it can be identified is by comparing the present system information with a backup. Note that the said components do not have to be deleted since it won't be harmful to the system.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft{random}
- {random} = ""
- {random} = ""
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